In a rather strange season where the discussion was dominated by
a virus, Liverpool after displaying scintillating form won the EPL after thirty
years. That laid to rest the question amongst the Kopites as to when they would
lay hands on that trophy. The season, however, has not yet concluded. And there
are still several questions that still remain unanswered. The most pertinent
one being whether Manchester United now standing fifth will make it to the
fourth position and sneak into the very prestigious and rich Champions league. Right now, Chelsea and Leicester City are third and fourth.
However, both these teams grip on those spots in next season’s Champions League
could easily be broken by Manchester United. Third-placed Chelsea is one point ahead of both Leicester and
United, who sit fifth and are behind Leicester on goals scored. Mid-week,
United host West Ham and Chelsea travel to Liverpool. The ifs and buts are many
that can come into play over the next couple of days and who better to ask
Manchester United fans in Goa as to what will happen at the end of the season. Satchel Da Silva a resident of Margao seemed very confident
about his team’s prospects. He said “I’m pretty confident especially with the
performances we’ve put in post lockdown! Ole just needs to stick with his
winning eleven and not start the game with a defensive attitude meaning a back
5. I’m sure with the form our front 3 are in we will be able to make it
to the top 4”. Karan Bhatia of Panjim felt with the front five having linked up
so well, the constant interchanging of positions by the front 3 gave the
playmakers several options. He felt there was no need to change that or the
starting XI. He said, “We have struggled before in these situations, and this
is a test of how strong we are mentally from previous years”. Karen Ferrao of Margao felt the injury to Luke Shaw had affected
the team because the team had played very well post lockdown. She said “The
last game against Leicester will be crucial. More than a tactical battle this
is a mental test. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood’s form have brought a new
dimension to this team. Hopefully, we will finish in 4th. Bosco Fernandes of Margao seemed very confident about the task
ahead for Manchester United. He said “ It’s not going to be tough, Manchester
United don’t need to focus on any other teams with their results too. United
always play their best football when they focus on themselves to respond hard
in the next game. That’s the only way Man United play good football. Keeping
the same 4-2-3-1 system with Anthony Martial up front should be the approach
for the next two games for United. We do have a few injury concerns in defence,
but I feel it’s up to the players now to take all ownership to bounce
back. The leadership, energy levels and pace will be key on the pitch for
the remaining two games that we have left to cement our spot in the top 4”. Now
that’s confidence. Long-time Man U fan Sean Faia said “We have to put out our
strongest team. It’s two games and a champions league spot is on the line. We
have to go with the front three of Marcial, Rashford and Greenwood. More
importantly, our defence needs to be strong for the next two games. De Gea is
already under pressure, we need the defence to step up and protect our
goalkeeper. The next two league games are like finals, must-win games”.
Omi, based in Vasco-Da-Gama felt it was a tricky situation. He
said “The matches are happening fast and quick so the manager has to make a
tight call on squad selection given the schedule. In the FA Cup semi-finals,
Ole lost the plot much before the kick-off with his selection and tactics. He’s
still very new as a manager & we definitely lacked the hunger against
Chelsea. De Gea hasn’t been at his best of late and has been receiving a lot of
flak, but one mustn’t forget that he was the reason we didn’t finish beyond the
top 10 in the past 6 years or so. He will be back. We are still in for a top 4
finish & a trophy in Europe if we play with the same spirit we started the
post lockdown season”. Perhaps the situation could be best summed up by a fan of
Liverpool Conrad Barreto of Margao who said “There has been quite a resurgence
for this Man Utd team post-Lockdown. Bruno’s arrival has lifted the team and
taken the pressure off Paul Pogba. More than United achieving it I feel
Leicester have bottled it. It will go down to the last game of the season
though. I think United will get that 4th CL spot”. It will certainly make for an interesting few days.
